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U.S.-Japan Implications of COVID-19

Hayley Hutchison

Gifu, 2013-2014

The COVID-19 pandemic has made an impact on the entire world, affecting each country in very different ways. The response to the pandemic has been of almost equal measure, with the United States having taken the lead in vaccine development and manufacturing to enable distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine within one year to countries around the world. As a major contributor to the COVAX global vaccine distribution effort, Japan has stepped up to play a vital role in the COVID-19 response. In this report, I discuss how the United States and Japan have worked together to address the burden brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and, as the pandemic wanes, how they will continue to work together to support the world as it recovers.

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About the Author

Hayley Hutchison worked as a JET in Gifu prefecture after graduating from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and a minor in Asian Studies. Through her experience with the JET program, she was able to meet wonderful people, gain some amazing new hobbies (such as taiko), and further hone her love for Japan and Japanese culture. Following her time on JET, she worked to acquire more skills in the fields of health and science and is in the progress of obtaining her Master of Public Health degree from George Mason University. She currently lives in Northern Virginia and works as a program officer for the global health programs through the Japan Center for International Exchange, bringing together her passions for Japan and public health.

About the JETs on Japan Forum

The JETs on Japan Forum is a partnership between USJETAA and Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) that features selected articles of JET alumni perspectives on U.S.-Japan relations. The series aims to elevate the awareness and visibility of JET alumni working across diverse sectors and provides a platform for JET alumni to contribute to deeper understanding of U.S.-Japan relations from their fields. The articles will be posted on USJETAA’s website to serve as resource to the wider JET alumni and U.S.-Japan communities on how alumni of this exchange program are continuing to serve as informal ambassadors in U.S.-Japan relations.

Submissions are encouraged from mid-to-senior level professionals who are established in the current fields OR current/recent graduate degree students in both masters and doctoral programs. Click here for more information on how to submit a proposal for consideration.